Solar in Maharashtra: Potential, Policy and Solar Subsidy (2024)

In terms of infrastructure, industry, and residential and commercial construction, Maharashtra has experienced significant growth. The only way to meet the state’s growing energy demands is to harvest and produce power using solar energy.

And, the state government’s focus on clean energy initiatives is evident from their recent initiatives.

Solar Subsidy in Maharashtra

In 2022, the Indian government launched Central Financial Assistance (CFA) for residential consumers. As part of the initiative, consumers can access the incentive at a unified platform, National Portal for Rooftop Solar. The subsidy gets directly transferred to the consumer’s bank account.

Maharashtra does not offer a separate solar subsidy, but consumers with on-grid or hybrid systems can avail the CFA.

The details are as follows:

Renewable Energy Policy in Maharashtra

On December 31, 2020, Maharashtra launched the Non-Conventional Energy Generation Policy 2020, which will be in effect till March 31st, 2025.

Maharashtra’s Integrated Non-Conventional Energy Generation Policy 2020 went into effect on December 31, 2020, and will last until March 31, 2025. In terms of solar, the strategy aims to add 12.9 GW to the currently existing 1.9 GW7 by FY25. As a result of this capacity development, the state will shift from being dominated by the wind to being dominated by solar energy.

The policy aims to develop almost 13 GW of solar capacity in the state by 2025. It will be implemented by Maharashtra Energy Development Agency (MEDA) and includes the following measures:

• The state plans to distribute 100,000 agricultural pumps annually to farmers over the next five years to support agricultural activities.

• Maharashtra will provide solar power connections to 10,000 houses every year, focusing on reducing power outages and promoting clean energy sources.

• The state will also invest in transmission-free projects such as :

– 2,000 solar water supply stations
– Electrification of 10,000 rural homes
– Microgrid projects for 20 homes
– 55,000 square feet of solar water/solar cooking systems
– 800 solar cold-storage projects

The Potential of Solar in Maharashtra

The state of Maharashtra experiences around 250-300 days of sunny weather and an irradiation of 4 to 6 kWh/sq. meter. As per official sources, harnessing this resource through solar photovoltaic systems can aid Maharashtra in generating 1.5 million units/MW/year.

The current installed renewable energy capacity of Maharashtra is 11.8 GW. Out of this capacity, solar accounts for 31% (3.7 GW).

Moreover, Maharashtra is leading in terms of open-access solar installations. According to a new Mercom report, Maharashtra has the second-highest open access installed capacity in India.

The reason for the growth of solar in the state can be traced back to government initiatives. In the agriculture sector, the state government is planning to lease farmer lands

Maharashtra is also now home to India’s first fully solar-powered reserve in India, the Pench Tiger Reserve. Due to the favourable policy climate, SJVN, a massive power corporation, is also developing a 200 MW solar project in the state at an investment of 1000 crores.

Supplied by Ornate Solar

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